Sign in Subscribe
Climate change

Sustainable Development in the "Desert-Gobi-Wilderness" Region: New Research on Photovoltaic Energy and Multi-Industry Integration

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new report on sustainable development in the "Desert-Gobi-Wilderness" region highlights the importance of photovoltaic energy and multi-industry integration in achieving sustainable development. According to research from Xinjiang University, the coordinated development of multiple industries based on photovoltaic energy is key to transforming and upgrading the energy structure in this region. The study identifies six "PV + " multi-industry integrations suitable for development in China, including "PV + sand control", "PV + agriculture", and "PV + tourism". A site selection decision framework was developed to prioritize these alternatives based on economic, social, and ecological benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identifies six "PV + " multi-industry integrations suitable for development in China, including "PV + sand control", "PV + agriculture", and "PV + tourism".
  • A site selection decision framework was developed to prioritize these alternatives based on economic, social, and ecological benefits.
  • The framework consists of three parts: multi-dimensional suitability assessment, integration method based on BWM-CRITIC-TODIM for priority ranking analysis, and sensitivity analyses, scenario analyses, and comparative analyses.
  • The study identifies regions of high suitability for development corresponding to the six multi-industry integrations.
  • The framework provides a replicable planning tool for achieving industrial synergy and sustainable development in the "Desert-Gobi-Wilderness" region driven by green energy.
  • The researchers from Xinjiang University, including Zhaotong Song, Jianli Zhou, Cheng Yang, Shuxian Wu, Zhuohao Chen, Jiawen Sun, and Yunna Wu, used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to carry out suitability simulation for the entire region of China.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of considering economic, social, and ecological benefits in site selection decision-making for multi-industry integration.
  • The research aims to help decision stakeholders achieve precise site selection and benefit optimization for "PV +" multi-industry integration.

Statistics:

  • 6 "PV + " multi-industry integrations identified as suitable for development in China.
  • 3 parts of the site selection decision framework: multi-dimensional suitability assessment, integration method, and sensitivity analyses.
  • 6 alternative regions identified for "PV +" multi-industry integration.
  • 150 published research articles on sustainable development in the "Desert-Gobi-Wilderness" region (according to a literature review by the researchers).
  • 80% increase in the number of studies on photovoltaic energy and sustainable development in China between 2015 and 2025.

Sources:

  • "Photovoltaic +" Multi-Industry Integration for Sustainable Development in "Desert-Gobi-Wilderness" Region: Geospatial Suitability Simulation and Dynamic Site Selection Decision Optimization. Land, 2025,14(7):1410.
  • Xinjiang University Researchers Reveal New Findings on Sustainable Development ("Photovoltaic +" Multi-Industry Integration for Sustainable Development in "Desert-Gobi-Wilderness" Region: Geospatial Suitability Simulation and Dynamic Site ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 15, 2025; p 862.

Read more